Memory Project

Chris Young (Primary Source)

Published Online August 3, 2022

Last Edited January 25, 2024

This testimony is part of the Memory Project Archive

Interview with Chris Young.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Menu for the Canadian Logistic (CANLOG) Christmas dinner. Golan Heights, December 25, 1983. Courtesy of Chris Young.
Chris Young/The Memory Project
Chris Young at main entrance to United Nations Head Quarters in Jerusalem. March, 1978. Photo courtesy of Chris Young.
Chris Young/The Memory Project
Collection of badges, clockwise from top left: US Air Force patch Chris received when he worked with them in Thule Greenland; UNDOF Canadian Signal Squadron, Golan Heights; 74 Communication Group; 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. Courtesy of Chris Young.
Chris Young/The Memory Project
Chris Young on a 105 metre signal platform in Aldergrove, BC, preparing to climb the next 90 metres to the top. 1997. Photo courtesy of Chris Young.
Chris Young/The Memory Project
Currently the flag of Canadian Forces Joint Signal Regiment (CFJSR). Courtesy of Chris Young.
Chris Young/The Memory Project
Collection of badges, clockwise from top left: Cold Lake, 4 Wing; Volksmarch Medal celebrating 20 yrs friendship between Lahr & Canada (1988); UN badge; 6B Lineman (Managers) Course; 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (CMBG). Courtesy of Chris Young
Chris Young/The Memory Project
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My name is Master Warrant Officer Chris Young. I'm Detachment Commander in Petawawa for Canadian Forces Joint Signal Regiment. My area of responsibility is Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut for all first, second and limited third line cable maintenance for the Canadian Forces and the Federal Government. I joined the Canadian Forces on the 24th of March 1976 in Little Current, Ontario. My mother is full Ojibway. My father is also full Ojibway, and they are from the Birch Island Reserve.

Being involved with the Communications/Electronics Branch I'm a Lineman, which is responsible for telephone, cable and antennas for the Canadian Forces. Throughout my career I've enjoyed various facets. I've traveled many places. Did UN tours in Egypt, a year in Cyprus, a year in the Golan Heights, four months in Lebanon, a tour with 4 Brigade in Germany, and put in various secure systems in embassies and high commissions around the world.

In Cold Lake I got introduced to the employment equity organizations, and I was a representative for the Aboriginal side of it. Reference concerns during Maple Flag, which is a large exercise involving fourteen different nations and flying over some of the reserves in northern Alberta. I became very heavily involved with that and the problems associated with having that many Nations showing up for two months, and the havoc and the chaos that it causes on the reserves and the surrounding towns.

I'm posted to Petawawa and sit on the employment equity committee for the base commander, and representing Aboriginal concerns. Starting from ground zero here and starting to build a base for the membership. There are different problems here - being a hard army unity - with getting recognition and that type of thing, but it's an on-going battle. The problem isn't going to go away and neither am I, so I'm in it for the long haul.

I intend to do the full thirty-five years at this point in time. I have never felt like it's been a job, and I guess when it does start to become a job is the time that I will head out.